Learn

Cambodia is far from the minds of most people. A distant and impoverished nation, few are fully aware of its remarkable history and current challenges. Learning about Cambodia is the first step towards helping Cambodia.

Cambodia’s history is dominated by periods of foreign control and occupation. Finally achieving Independence in 1953, the decades since were not kind. Cambodia suffered greatly from the American War in Vietnam and was brought to the brink of destruction by the horrors of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge Regime. Today Cambodia faces the legacy of its history; poverty, insufficient infrastructure, and poor-quality services. Despite these challenges Cambodia is developing steadily. Tourists by the thousands revel in its remarkable culture, the economy is growing and people look hopefully to the future.

Currently, Cambodia relies on foreign assistance and the incredible work of NGO’s to build the bridge between today’s Cambodia and tomorrow’s. Friends Without A Border is one such organization striving to improve the health, lives and future of children. Through Angkor Hospital for Children and its programs we work directly with children, families and healthcare workers to save lives.

Facts:

Between 1990 and 2004 the under-5 mortality rate in Cambodia increased from 115/1,000 to 141/1,000
67,000 Cambodian children under the age of 5 die each year
Acute respiratory infections and diarrhea account for nearly 40% of deaths in children
Under nutrition represents the single most important risk factor for Cambodia children.
There are 30 Cambodian doctors for every 100,000 people
The under-5 mortality rate is twice as high in the poorest as compared to the richest socio-economic groups
Only 39% of Cambodia’s rural population has access to clean water

Facts about AHC:

During 2007 AHC treated over 107,000 children, nearly 12,000 emergencies and performed over 1,300 surgeries.
AHC is an officially recognized teaching hospital, and provides advanced training to over 1,000 Cambodian health workers in 2006.
AHC is the largest facility outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, providing anti-retroviral treatment to children suffering from HIV/AIDS.